The stands were packed on Saturday in Wilmette, the scene perfectly set for a neighborhood rivalry football game between New Trier and Loyola.
But those stands didn’t remain full for very long. The No. 2 Ramblers won 34-3 and their 17-point lead apparently demoralized the Trevians’ student section, which cleared out at halftime.
“Their student section went home after the first quarter last year,” Loyola senior Matt Mangan said. “So we are just happy they stayed for an extra quarter.”
The Ramblers won 41-3 last season. Saturday’s victory was no less impressive. Loyola’s young defense completely stymied New Trier’s running game and contained quarterback Nevan Cremascoli. The sophomore was 8-for-18 passing for 122 yards for the Trevians (1-1).
“The young guys on defense have stepped up,” Mangan, a receiver, said. “[Junior linebacker] Dan Naselli has been playing like a maniac. It’s good to see. An offense loves having a defense that can hold teams to three points like this. And they are just going to get better with experience.”
Loyola (1-1) lost to Cleveland St. Ignatius 27-10 on the road last week. Mangan said the defense didn’t played poorly in that game either.
“They let up 27 points, but that was because we had too many three-and-outs,” Mangan said. “That was a really good offensive team and they held them to 10 points in the first half.”
The Ramblers have an incredibly stout offensive line, led by three-year starters Peter Gianaris and Christo Kelly and junior Josh Kreutz. That group led the way for running backs Trevor Cabanban (70 yards, two touchdowns) and Marco Maldonado (11 carries, 76 yards).
Crafty 9-yard TD run by Trevor Cabanban. Ripped off a 38-yard run on the previous play.
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) September 7, 2019
Loyola leads New Trier 20-3 late 2Q. pic.twitter.com/MNqgoDMZI9
The biggest improvement came from quarterback Perrion McClinton. The junior was effective in his second start, rushing for 45 yards and finishing 7-for-10 passing for 48 yards and two touchdowns.
“We had a game plan and we executed,” McClinton said. “Everyone played their role, it wasn’t just me. Mistakes are going to happen but my teammates are there to help me out and pick me up.”
Both touchdown tosses were to Mangan, who had five catches for 39 yards. The first was a three-yarder in the second quarter and the second was a 16-yard strike in the fourth quarter.
“[McClinton] had a great game today, legs, arms and everything,” Mangan said. “We have some trust with each other where he knows he can just put it up for me. Those were two awesome balls that he threw to me. He had some great reads and a lot of good runs.”
“Last week he was a little shaky but that is understandable when you are getting your first start as a junior for a team that won state the year before.”
Perrion McClinton to Matt Mangan TD pass. Nice grab. Loyola muffs the extra point but leads New Trier 13-3 in the 2Q. pic.twitter.com/rh3U8QikAN
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) September 7, 2019
Three quarterbacks threw completions for the Ramblers, four running backs gained significant yardage and six receivers caught passes.
“It shows the depth we have at running back and everywhere,” Cabanban said. “[McClinton] is young and we don’t really have young quarterbacks here usually. But he’s really talented, he’s athletic and I think he’s going to be great. We looked good out there but there is still a lot to work on to prepare for St. Rita next week.”
